Tape serving apparatus including feeding means therefor



1942- T. R. GAU'i' lER 2,293,433

TAPE SERVING APPARATUS INCLUDING FEEDING MEANS THEREFOR Original Filed Nov. 29, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor Trevor R. 61am ties 1, Z ZA ,3- ,7 /yw +WM fliiys.

1942. T. R. GAU'i'lER 2,293,433

TAPE SERVING APPARATUS INCLUDING FEEDING MEANS THEREFOR Original Filed Nov. 29, 1938 4 Shets-Sheet 2 Wei/o2 R. Quail/212's 2", 167 MM 1 5%; M4,) 23298.

Aug. 18, 1942. GAUTIER 2,293,433

TAPE SERVING APPARATUS INCLUDING FEEDING MEANS THEREFOR Original Filed Nov. 29, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Mag; J: :1

Aug. 18, 1942. GAUTlER 2,293,433

TAPE SERVING APPARATUS INCLUDING FEEDING MEANS THEREFOR Original Filed Nov. 29, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 HHHIIIIHIHHI Patented Aug. 18, 1942 TAPE SERVING APPARATUS INCLUDING FEEDING MEANS THEREFOR Trevor It. Gautier, Nashua, N. H., assignor to Nashua. Gummed and Coated Paper Company, Nashua, N. H., a corporation of Massachusetts Original application November 29, 1938, Serial No. 242,936. Divided and this application February 23, 1940, Serial No. 320,301.

15 Claims.

. moistened for application in packaging and other uses for which such material is adapted. One machine of this class is shown in my prior Patent 2,082,733, dated June 1, 1937. While my present invention is applicable to this class of machines in general, in various respects it involves improvement upon the apparatus of said patent. This application is a division of my copending parent application Serial No. 242,936, filed November 29, 1938, which has matured into Patent No. 2,192,132, February 27, 1940.

In the drawings illustrating by way of example one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the forward portion of the machine, with the side cover plate broken away to expose certain parts of the feeding and cutting mechanisms;

Figs. 2 and 3 are views corresponding to Fig. 1 illustrating different positions of the operating lever and associated parts during forward and reverse movements respectively, parts of the feed gearing being omitted for clearness;

Fig. 4 is a partial longitudinal vertical section centrally through the machine;

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section as on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 6 and 7 are views generally similar to Fig. 5, but taken rearwardly of the movable cutter, showing modifications of the feed roll assembly.

Referring to the drawings in more particular, the machine as a whole comprises a housing including side frames I secured in spaced relation as by suitable cross ties, two of which are seen at 2, 2, in Fig. One of the side frames, herein that at the right of an operator facing the machine, is formed with a laterally projecting flange 3, herein of generally circular form, providing a compartment within which the gearing for the feed mechanism, and other operating parts are conveniently housed. This gearing compartment is normally closed by a cover plate 4, see Fig. 1, having an inwardly directed flange complementary to the flange 3 on the machine frame and slotted to provide a path for the operating lever 5 between the cover and side frame, in a generally similar manner as in my prior patent above identified.

As seen in Fig. 4, a roll supply S of the strip material to be dispensed, such as gummed paper tape, is supported in a well 5 at the rear of the rollers, two of which are seen at 1,1 in Fig. 4.

The machine is adapted to handle various different widths of tape, the roll supply, S being positioned transversely between laterally adjustable guide plates, a portion of one of which appears at 8 in Fig. 4. Keyhole slots 9 in the plates have reduced portions engageable in selectedcircumferential grooves in cross rods ID, to hold the plates in selected position similarly as in my prior patent. The rod l0 seen in Fig. 4 is rotatably supported between the side frames, adapting it to serve also as a guide for the tape T coming from the supply.

The tape T is led forwardly from the roll supply past the guide Ill and between an elongated underguide or table l2 and an overlying floating guide or deflector plate l3. The latter may be of a generally similar character as in my patent referred to, said two guides [2' and [3 together providing a throat or feed passage for the tape.

The forward movement of the tape is effected by rotary feed means engageable with its opposite faces. As best seen in Fig. 4, the tape feeding means here includes a lower or inner feed wheel or roll l5 fixed on a shaft l6 rotatably supported between the side frames I. This lower feed member l5, which is driven by means .to be described, is engageable with the under face of the tape, its gummed face, through an appropriate recess in the under guide l2. Opposite said driven feed wheel [5 and in position to engage the top face of the tape through a similar recess in the upper guide or floating plate I3, is a cooperating upper or outer feed wheel or roll indicated as a whole by the numeral ll.

This upper or outer rotary feed element ll may be of a construction generally similar to that disclosed in my said patent, including an outer annular tire-like member surrounding a stud shaft l8 and having friction-reducing hearing means interposed between it and said shaft. Said stud shaft is carried on a foot or projection [9 at the base of a lever 2| having a bearing collar 2| on a cross shaft 22. Pins 23 hold the lever 20 in position on said shaft accurately to align the upper feed wheel I! with the lower one.

The upper feed wheel I! is normally held yieldingly in operative relation with the lower wheel l5, to grip and feed the tape between them, as by a spring 24 having one end attached to the upper end of the lever 20 and its other end secured to the machine framing as at 25. As best seen in Fig. 5, said lever 20 extends upwardly between the side frames to a point where it is readily accessible for engagement by a finger of the operator, as indicated at f, Fig. 4. At its upper end the readily to be withdrawn bodily, for inspection or cleaning of the tape guides and associated parts. Release of the finger piece 26 of the lever 20 auto- .matically restores the feed wheels to operative feeding relation. A rearward extension 21 of the foot I9 of the lever 20 acts as a limiting stop for the return of the wheel U, by engagement with the upper guide plate l3, avoiding injury to the surfaces of the feed wheels when no tape is present between them. Said stop 21 also confines the upper guide or deflector plate I3 against undesired vertical displacement.

Referring again to Figs. 1 and 4, the lower feed roll or wheel l5, fast on its supporting shaft I6, is driven through a train of gearing, preferably and as herein illustrated of a high ratio, of the order of at least about one to ten as between the operating lever and the feed roll l5, in a manner broadly similar to that as disclosed in my prior patent already mentioned. This drive mechanism includes a pinion 28 fast on the lower feed roll shaft l6, which extends outwardly through the righthand frame I into the gear compartment. There the pinion 28 meshes with an intermediate gear 29 having fixed on its hub a pinion'30, both rotatably supported on a stud 3|. The pinion 30 in turn meshes with a large gear 32 on a stud shaft 33 on the side frame.

One-way drive connections, herein of the pawl and ratchet type, are provided between the gear 32 and the shaft 33, on the one hand, and the operating lever 5 on the other. These connections include a ratchet wheel 34 mounted to rotate with said gear 32 on the shaft 33 and adaptedto be driven in'the forward or feeding direction through one or more spring-pressed pawls 35 pivoted at the inner face of a pawl-carrier or disc 36 which is loosely positioned on the shaft 33.

The connections between the operating lever 5 and the shaft 33 further include a plate or co nector piece 31 having a bearing collar 38 for loosely supporting it rotatably on the lever shaft 33. Said piece 31 as illustrated is in effect the base portion of the lever, providing the pivotal mounting for the operating or manual-engaging outer portion of the lever and also being comprised in the connections between the latter and the lever supporting shaft. The lever 5, or its outer portion to be engaged by the operator, is

hinged at its inner end, by means of a bearing sleeve 39 receivable between ears 40, 40 on the piece 31 and there supported for rocking movement in the direction laterally of the machine, that is, at right angles to the main path of the lever, as by a pin held in the cars 40. A coilspring 42 bears between a seat 43 on the collar 38 of the connector piece 31 and a boss 44 on the lever. This spring tends normally to urge the lever bodily inward about its transverse pivotal axis provided by said pin.

The operating lever 5 carries a laterally projecting feed stop 5a, for cooperation with one or more adjustable stop elements, such as the stop 5b on the side cover plate 4, Fig. 1, as more fully illustrated for example in said Patent 2,082,733 and'also in my Patents\.2,066,6l7, 2,068,618, and 2,066,619, dated January 5, 1937. As basin shown the lever 5 isafforded an action whereby its stop means may be rendered operative or inoperative, by engagement or avoidance of one or more of the cooperable stops or abutments 5b, at the will of the operator, for the purposes bf selective feed-length control. Various forms of such feed-length control are disclosed in my said Patent 2,082,733 and claimed in said related patents of January5, 1937. In the particular example here illustrated the lever itself has capacity for shifting movement, transversely of its main path, by reason of the described movable connections between it and the shaft which supports it, in the general manner as claimed broadly for example in said Patent 2,066,619.

The connector piece 31 is itself operably engaged with the pawl-carrier 35, through a lostmotion connection comprising a pin 45 on one part, herein the piece 31, and aslot 46 in the other, herein the pawl-carrier 35. Hence the latter and thedescribed feed gearing arecaused to turn withthe operating lever 5 during the greater portion of the forward movement of the lever. During an initial portion of said forward lever movement, however, the described lost-motion connection allows the pawl-carrier 36 and the feed gearing to remain at rest, for purposes to be described. A spring 35a connected to said carrier and to a side frame tends to hold the carrier with its slot 46 in the position relative to the pin 45 on the connector piece 31 as seen in Figs. 1 and 3. so that the pin has the length of the slot for free movement before P ing up the pawl-carrier at the start of a forward stroke of the operating lever 5 from its rest position of Fig. 1.

The operating lever 5 is automatically returned to its inactive or rest position as shown in Fi 1. against a back stop 41 on the frame, by an elongated coil spring 50 detachably anchored at one end on a pin 51 outstanding from the connector piece 31 to which the lever is hingedly attached. This spring is bowed intermediate its ends into a generally U-like form, by bending it around a grooved roller 52 rotatably supported on a bracket 53 on'the adjacent side frame I. Below the roller 52 the spring has its other end removably attached to a hook 54 which is variably positionable lengthwise the machine, said hookbeing herein pivoted on the frame, in this instance on the side frame remote from the lever, that is, the left side. The hook 54 is adapted to be held selectively in any one of a plurality of downwardly opening notches 55 at the lower part of the frame and formed integrally therein or in a separate element such as the block 56 secured to the right side frame. Said block is shown as adjustable lengthwise the machine as by means of the screw and slot connections withthe frame as indicated at 51, 51.

Thus the degree of tension for the lever return spring 50 as a whole may :be regulated quickly and conveniently merely by shifting the spring-attaching hook from one notch 55 to another. By bowing or breaking the spring 50 around the roller 52 in the manner illustrated the spring is in effect afforded a compound or differential actionand the speed and force of the return movement of the operating lever 5 is more nearly equalized over the entire path of travel of the lever. For relatively short strokes of the lever, such for exam-pie as r. movement from the rest position of Fig. 1 to a position of Fig. 2 the spring tensioning is largely confined to the upper half of the spring, while during herein comprises a fixed blade 68 horizontally disposed crosswise the machine, in substantial continuation of the under-guide l2, and supported on the side frames as by lugs 8i thereon and on which the blade 68 is detachably held as by screws 82. The front portion of this fixed blade 88 presents a cutting edge for cooperation with a movable blade or cutter, indicated as a whole by the numeral 84, of the guillotine type, adapted to be moved across the path of the tape, herein downwardly from above, to shear the tape. The blade proper 64 may be variously shaped at its cutting edge, and may be formed of one or more parts.

As best seen in Fig. 5, the movable cutter 84 is illustrated in this instance as composed of a plurality of separable units 84a, 64b either and 'both of which may easily be demounted for sharpening or replacement. The lower 'cutting edges of said units together form a blade of a shallow inverted V-like formation. giving a progressive cutting action across the tape. Said units are removably secured as by screws 85 to a blade-carrying block 68; see also Fig. 4. At its outer side portions each knife unit 84a, 84b has depending fingers 81. 68 to which are attached springs 88, 10 adjacent the corresponding side frame and secured thereto as at 1|, Fig. 4. These springs bias the movable cutter 64 yieldably toward the fixed element 88, insuring a good shearing action. Said depending fingers 61, 68 of the movable blade also act as vertical guides for the latter, in sliding engagement against the front face of the fixed member 88. The movable element is thus confined and guided for movement in a, given plane, herein substantially vertical and perpendicular to the path of the tape.

The movable cutter element 84, including the carrier block 88, is pivotally'connected, as by pins 12, 13 at the opposite ends of said block, to a supporting yoke 14 of general U-formation as viewed in plan. This yoke in turn is supported by its rearwardly extending arms 15, 15 which are pivoted for vertical movement on the cross shaft 22 previously described in connection with the upper feed wheel 11. Thus the movable cutter assembly as a whole, including the blade or cutter 84 on the carrier block 88 and the yoke 14 has a horizontal pivotal axis provided by the cross shaft 22 but the cutter proper 84 has substantially a straight vertical movement in parallelism with itself, as permitted by the pivot pins 12, 13 connecting its carrier block to the yoke.

Said movable cutter assembly as a whole is normally held up in raised position clear of the tape path, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. For this P rpose I provide springs 18, 11 at the two sides frames, as at 18, 18.

The cutter device is herein operated automatically upon release of the operating lever 8, and in a positive manner but so as to be released substantially instantaneously. Thus it has a very rapid movement across the tape and return, and only momentarily is ever in a position blocking the tape path. This substantially instantaneous cutting and clearing action of the cutter or knife reduces to a minimum any opportunity for jamming of the tape by its engagement with the cutter, such as heretofore sometimes caused by an unintended tape feeding action produced by rebound of the operating lever or by the momentum of the feed gearing and associated parts, continuing their movement after the feed stroke of the operating lever is complete.

Turning now to the mechanism for so actuating the cutter, and referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, the supporting pin 13 at the right end of the blade-carrying block 88 is extended outwardly through the sid frame I, as seen in Fig. 5, and is pivoted at its end in a link or cutter actuator 88. This actuator has at its upper end a cam means, herein an angular slotted formation including an elongated vertical portion 8| and a shorter horizontal portion 82. This slot formation receives a pin 83 projecting laterally at the front end of a rock arm 84 pivoted intermediate its endson a stud 85 on the adjacent side frame. At the rear end of this rock arm 84 is a cam roll 88 adapted to ride on an arcuate cam 81 at the inner face of the operating lever '5. A spring 88 connected at one end to the rock arm 84, rearwardly of its pivot point 85, and at its other end to the actuator 80, draws the latter yieldably toward the rock arm. Rearward movement of the actuator is limited as by a stop 88 on the adjacent side frame.

In the rearward or rest position of the operating lever 5, against its back stop 41, as represented in Fig. 1, the movable cutter, .its actuator 88 and the rock arm 84 have the relative positions substantially as there shown. The cam roll 86 is then resting on the highest portion of the cam 81 on the operating lever, that portion most remote from the axis 33 of said lever. The forward or outer end of the rock arm accordingly is depressed, and the pin 88 thereon stands in the vertical portion 8| of the cam slot formation in the actuator.

When the lever 5 is drawn forward by the operator to'obtain a length of moistened tape, said operating lever and its connector piece 81 at first move freely, without actuating the' feed gearing, by reason of the lost-motion connection 45, 48 already described. During this initial lever movement, therear end of the rock arm 84 drops under the action'of the spring 88 to the position substantially as shown in Fig. 2, the cam roll 88 riding down and off from the cam 81. The forward end of the rock arm 84 accordingly is elevated, carrying the pin 83 up to the level of the horizontal portion 82 ofthe slot formation in the actuator. The spring 88 accordingly causes the latter to snap rearwardly, bringing the pin 88 into said horizontal slotted portion 82.

This preparatory or cocking movement of the and cutter actuator 88 positively rock arm 84 engage's these two elements, providing a positive connection between the rock arm 84 and the cutter element 64 itself. Hence when the rear end of the rock arm 84 is subsequently elevated, by-re-engagement of the cam roll 86 with the cam 81 during return movement of the operating lever 5, the actuator 80 is positively moved downwardly, forcing the cutter down across the tape path and shearing the tape.

Said depressed, cutting position of the cutter 64, its actuator 80 and the rock arm 84 is ilustrated in Fig. 3. In said figure the operating lever has been released after making its forward stroke. has returned sufficiently to actuate the cutter, and the described cutting operation has taken place. fully completed its return movement, as will be seen by noting its position relative to its back stop 41, but the pin 83 at the front end of the rock arm has already moved back along the horizontal cam slot 82, under the action of the lever cam 81, until it is substantially on the point of re-entering the vertical slotted portion 8|.

Hence after a very slight further rearward movement of the operating lever, further depressing the front end of the rock arm 85 and carrying the pin 83 off from the shoulder formed by the lower edge of the horizontal cam slot at, the actuator 80 and the entire movable cutter unit connected to it at it are free to rise, under the action of the cutter return springs it, ll, Fig. 5, previously described. Thus the movable cutter and its operating parts are substantially instantaneously returned to their initial position of Fig. l, clearing the cutter from the tape path. The entire severing and return movement of the cutter is extremely rapid, being completed during a fractional part of the total lever return movement. The cutter and its actuator at are operatively disconnected from the rock arm at before the lever has fully returned into engagement with its back stop 41. Thus any possible rebound of the lever can have no effect on the cutter such as might cause it to obstruct the tape path. But by reason of the described preparatory free movement of theoperating lever at the beginning of its next forward stroke the cutter actuating parts are again cooked or operatively engaged, in positively connected relation, in readiness for the next cutting action. Further, the lost-motion connection between the operating lever and its connector piece 3'! not only provides for said preparatory positive connecting up of the cutter actuator but also insures that possible lever rebound does not actuate the feed mechanism. In addition, the described cutter connections for effecting a positive but rapid cutting and clearing action insure that the knife is open and the tape path clear at the time of any accidental or unintended feeding of the tape. As previously noted, such unintentional feed may occasionally be caused by the overrunning or momentum of the feed gearing, after the forward or feeding stroke of the lever B has been completed and the lever has started its return stroke. Such action is more frequent after the machine has been well broken in and is operated at high speed. The cutting action in this instance as in my said parent application, is arranged to take place near the end of the lever return stroke, when such excess feed producing momentum generally will have been dissipated, but nevertheless there may be some such remaining effect at times. The described The operating lever has not yet knife from the tape path practically obvia: any Jamming effect on the tape at such time Claims relating to the cutting or severing means are contained in said parent application Serial No. 242,936.

Forwardly beyond the severance point the tape path continues between a bottom guide plate 90 and an overlying deflector or guide plate 9|. The latter has lateral bosses or positioning elements 92 atits front portion, see Fig. 4, for pivoting it on a pin 93 held on the side frames in blocks 94. The pin 93 also serves to support rotatably and with capacity for vertical movement, a roller guide means or element 95 composed of one or more longitudinal units or rollers, preferably of the corrugated or circumferentially grooved form as illustrated. Said rotary guide element 95 constitutes tape presser means adapted to rest by gravity on the upper face of the tape, to cause the latter to pass with its under and gummed face in moistening relation with the underlying moistening means.

As shown in Fig. 4, the moistening means is of the capillary or wick type, including one or more inverted brushes 9%, 96 upstanding from a liquid reservoir tl removably positioned between the side frames l. The described tape guide means including the deflector plate til and guiding presser means cperatively associated with the moistener means 96 may be similar to that more fully disclosed and claimed in my Patent No.

2,138,474 dated November 29, 1938-, resulting from an application copending with my said application Serial No. 242,936 of which this present application is a division.

Certain auxiliary guiding and presser means at the delivery end of the machine and comprised in the moistening mechanism, said means including a forward rotary presser or guide element 99 on a pin 98, disclosed in said parent application. are contained in the subject matter of and claimed in, a separate divisional application of said parent case and need not be more fully described here.

The pin 98 for said forward presser element 99, substantially at the tape delivery point, is further utilized as a pivot support for hinging the forward cover plate Hill, Fig. 4. Said cover is adapted to be received on and between the side frames, normally to close in the operating parts at the front portion of the machine. It may extend rearwardly for the full length of the machine or be supplemented by a similar cover rapid cut-off andinstantaneous clearance of the part overlying the rear portion of the tape well and pivoted at the back part of the machine frames or housing.

As seen in Fig. 4, the cover plate I00 has fingers fill at its lower edge pivotally received on said pin 98, allowing the cover to be swung between its closed full-line position of Fig. 4 and an open position as represented in dotted lines in said figure. The underlying parts are thus readily accessible, for adjusting the tape and for cleaning and inspection purposes, including particularly the deflector plate 9! (noting its dotted elevated position in Fig. 4), the finger lever 20 of the upper feed roll ii, the removable top guide plate l3 and the other associated parts. Said cover I00 is not fully opened in its dotted position of Fig. 4 and may be swung forwardly, substantially into a horizontal position, until held by shoulders I 02 on the cover-supporting fingers coming into engagement with the inner pin 93 already described and which accordingly may have this additional cover positioning function.

In Figs. 6 and '7 I have shown rotary feed means adapted for dispensing a plurality of tape lengths, from a like number of tape supplies. The views are taken on a line just behind the cutter mechanism, see Fig. 4, down to the tape chute and perpendicularly through the latter, looking toward the rear. Parts not otherwise referred to may be the same as in the previous figures.

Referring now to Fig. 6, the lower and upper guides I2 and I3 provide a feed throat as in the previous example. The driven shaft It has fixed on it rotary means, unitary or otherwise, for feeding aplurality of different tapes T, two in this instance. Said rotary means as here shown comprises separate feed wheels or rolls lid and lib spaced for engaging the under faces of the tapes '1', through corresponding apertures in the lower guide I2. The upper guide I3 is similarly apertured for a like plurality of upper or outer rotary feed elements, wheels, or rolls Na and I'Ib in line with the lower wheels lie and Iib respectively. Said upper feed wheels lid and Ill) individually may be the same as previously described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5, each having a supporting studv Ila, I8b on corresponding feet I90, I9b at the base of the levers a, 20b.

In the example of Fig. 6, the upper feed wheels are adapted to be lifted independently, to move J them bodily away from the paths of the tapes, for

the purposes described in connection with the earlier figures, referring particularly to Figs. 4 and 5. The levers 20a, 20b accordingly are loosely mounted by means of eir bearing collars Ila, III) for rocking on the cross shaft 22 on the side frames l, I, being held in position lengthwise the shaft by any suitable means such as pins or the like. The upper feed wheels I'Ia, I'Ib normally are held yieldingly in operative relation with the corresponding lower wheels Ila, I5b as by springs 24a, 24b, similarly as in the earlier single-feed example. Stops 21a, 21b on the lever feed Isa, I9b limit the in-movement of said upper wheels, also as in said earlier example.

The individual release levers 20a, 20b extend up between the side frames for convenient access by the operator, and each has at its upper end a finger piece or knob 26a, 26b for manipulating it to lift the corresponding upper feed wheel I'Ia or I'Ib independently. Said levers and their finger pieces may be substantially the same, or arranged as left and right members in a manner as illustrated in Fig. 6.

In the embodiment of Fig. 7, a plurality of lower and upper feed wheels is provided, similarly as in Fig. 6, corresponding reference numerals being used for like parts. In this instance, however, the plurality of upper wheels is arranged to be lifted simultaneously for separation from the under rotary means, by a single manipulating or release lever 20c, acted on by its spring 240, and having a finger piece 260. At its lower portion said lever 200 has a single elongated bearing collar 2Ic whereby it is supported for rocking movement 'on or with the cross shaft 22. The wheel supporting rearward projections I90, I9b are both integral with said collar 2Ic. Thus a manipulation of the common lever 20c, similarly as explained in connection with Fig. 4, serves to lift the plurality of upper wheels. I'Ia and I'll; together.

An arrangement with independent control of the plural upper feed wheels, as in Fig. 6 is desirable for certain types of installations, particfor the upperwheel release is preferred, for ex-.

ample, where the machines are in practically constant use and hence require more frequent replenishment of-the tape supplies. Also, both lower feed wheels need not operate at the same time but may be controlled by separate operating levers such for example as those of my Patent No. 2,099,64'7'dated November 16, 1937. The illustrated examples of Figs. 6 and 7, wherein plural lengths of tape are fed simultaneously are particularly useful for shipping rooms and similar points where the packages or other objects to be taped require several pieces of tape of the same length, as for transverse application to more or less elongated parcels, packages, boxes and the like.

My invention is not limited to the particular embodiments thereof illustrated and described herein, and I set forth its scope in my following claims:

1. In a tape dispensing machine, a frame, a support for a tape supply, feed rolls to advance the tape from the supply, gearing'to drive said rolls in one direction, an operating lever for said gearing movably supported on the frame to have forward and return motions. a stop in the path of the lever and a stop on the lever for engagement therewith, said lever including abase portion providing the pivotal support for the lever and an outer or manual portion, means pivotally connecting the two lever portions to afford for the manual portion a shifting movement transversely of the lever path to bring the stop on the lever into or out of line with the stop in the lever path, and spring means bearing between and carried by the two lever portions and normally urging said manual portion into one of its said positions relative to the stops.

2. In a machine for dispensing lengths of gummed tape moistened for application, a frame, a support for a tape supply, feed rolls to advance the tape from the supply, gearing to drive one of said rolls including a gear fixed on the driven roll shaft and an initial or outer gear, a ratchet wheel angularly fixed relative to said initial gear, a pawl-carrier mounted coaxially with the ratchet wheel and carrying one or more pawls engageable with the latter to turn it on movement of the carrier in one direction but permitting movement of the carrier relative to the ratchet wheel in the opposite direction, and an operating lever including a connector piece having lost-motion connection with the pawl carrier to afford an initial non-feeding motion for the lever in the direction in which movement of the pawl carrier turns the ratchet wheel.

3. In a machine for dispensing lengths of gummed tape moistened for application, a frame,

a support for a tape supply, feed rolls to advancethe tape from the supply, gearing to drive one of said rolls including a gear fixed on the driven roll shaft and an initial or outer gear, an operating lever movably supported on the frame to have a forward and a return motion, one-way drive connections including a ratchet-wheel element and a pawl-carrier element having a pawl engageable with said wheel, said connections operatively interposing the initial gear and the operating lever, and means including a connector piece moving with the operating lever and having lost-motion connection with one of said elements, for operatively associating the lever and said drive connections so as to permit an initial feedingly non-operative cutter-connective motion for the lever in its direction of forward movement. V

4. In a tape dispensing machine, a frame, cover means for closing in the frame at its top,

a support thereon for a tape supply, rotary means.

to feed the tape from the supply, said means including a driven roll engageable with one face of the tape, gearing to drive said roll, a second roll adapted to engage the other face of the tape in opposition to the driven roll to advance the tape between them, and means on the frame mally to present its roll in tape feeding relation to the driven roll, said lever element including a manual operating portion presented conveniently to the operator upon opening of the frame cover means to retract said lever-carried roll at will.

5. In a tape dispensing machine a frame including laterally spaced side members, a support thereon for a plurality of tape supplies, driven rotary means engageable with corresponding faces of the plurality of tapes from the supplies, a wheel for each tape, to engage the other face thereof in opposition to said driven rotary means so as to advance the tapes, a supporting lever for rotatably mounting each wheel with capacityfor bodily movement toward and from the corresponding tape, independent pivotal supporting means for said levers, and spring means acting, on the levers normally to present their tape-engaging wheels in feeding relation to the driven rotary means, said levers being disposed between the frame sides and each having a manual operating portion presented conveniently to the operator to retract at willthe corresponding tape-engaging wheel.

port thereon for a plurality of tape supplies,-

driven rotary means engageable with corresponding faces of the plurality oftapes from the supplies, a wheel for each tape, to engage the other face thereof in opposition to said driven rotary means so as to advance the tapes, .a common supporting lever fornrotatably mounting said plurality of tape-engaging wheels with capacity for bodily movement toward and from the'correspending tape, a pivotal support for said lever, and spring means normally urging the tapeengaging wheels into feeding relation to the driven rotary means, said wheel-supporting lever being disposed between the frame sides and havinga manual operating portion presented conveniently to the operator to retract at will said plurality of tape-engaging wheels simultaneously. g

I. In a tape'dispensing machine, a frame including laterally spaced side members, a support thereon for a plurality of tape supplies,

lation to the driven rotary means, spring means normally urging the wheels into said relation, and lever means disposed between the frame sides and conveniently accessible to the operator for moving said wheels bodily away from the driven rotary means.

8. In a tape dispenser, a housing including a support for a tape supply, opposed rotary feed means adapted to advance the tape from the supply, a pivoted operating handle for said feed means, said handle having forward and return movements, a coil spring to effect its return movement, said spring having one end connected to a part moving with the handle so as to be tensioned during forward movement of the latter, means on the housing for anchoring the other end of the spring, said means including a plurality of receiving formations respectively at different distances from said first end of the spring, and means at the anchoring end of the spring for engaging it selectively with oneor another of said formations correspondingly to regulate the spring'tensioning.

9. A tape dispenser according to claim 8 wherein the plurality of receiving formations for variably anchoring one end of "the spring are carried by an element which is itself adjustable to increase or decrease the spring tensioning as afforded by the given receiving formation.

10. In a tape dispenser, a housing including a support for a tape supply, opposed rotary feed means adapted to advance the tape from the supply, a pivoted operating handle for said feed means, said handle having forward and return movements, a -coil,,spring to effect its return movement, said spring having one end connected to a part moving with the handle so as to be tensioned during forward movement of the latter, an adiustably positionable element on the housing for anchoring the other end of the spring,

' means for attaching said last-mentioned spring driven rotary means engageable with corresponding faces of the plurality of tapes from the supplies, a wheel for each tape, to engage the other face thereof in opposition to said driven rotary means so as to advance the tapes, means rotatably supporting said wheels with capacity for support thereon for a tape supply, rotary tape-v engaging feed members, an operating handle for said feed members, saidhandle having a forward and a return movement, one-way drive connections between the handle and one of the feed members, said connections including a ratchet- ,wheel element and a cooperating spring-pressed pawl element, one of said elements moving with the driven feed member and the other adapted to receive movement from and with the operating handle in the course of forward movement of the latter, and a connector piece having lostmotion connection between said movement-receiving'element and the operating handle aflording the latter an initial forward movement during which it is inoperative with respect to the tape feed members.

12. In a tape dispensing machine, a frame, a support for a tape supply, rotary feed means to advance the tape from the supply, one-waydrive mechanism for actuating the tape feed means, said mechanism including a transverse shaft on the frame, a lever base portion pivotal.- 1y supported by said shaft for forward tape-feeding motion and reverse return motion, a connec-' .tor element providing a lost-motion connection between the one-way-drive mechanism and said lever base portion so as to afford a non-actuating bodily movement from and'into tape-feeding re- 7 movement for the latter at the initial stage of its forward motion, a tape-length-determining stop on the frame, a lever handle portion extending. from the lever base portion substantially radially of said transverse supporting shaft and cooperable with said stop, and a hinge connection between the lever base and handle portions permitting the handle portion to be moved axially of said shaft-and relative to the lever base portion for varying the cooperative relation of the lever handle portion and said stop.

13. A tape dispenser comprising, in combination, a housing including spaced sidewalls providing between them a support for a tape supply roll, tape guide means defining a path for the tape, feed rolls in paired relation at opposite sides of the tape path respectively, an operating lever having a forward and a return movement, drive gearingbetweenthe operating lever and one feed roll, an arm rotatably carrying the other roll, a cross-shaft between the housing sidewalls supporting said arm for tilting movement toward and retraction from the tape path adjacent the driven roll, spring means urging said arm into tape feeding relation of its roll with the driven roll, a closure plate on the housing movable to open and to close the same over the reed rolls and drive gearing, and a lever pivotally mounted on said cross-shaft and connected in fixed angular relation to said roll-carrying arm, said lever projecting upwardly toward the closure plate and there presenting a manual portion for ready engagement by the operator in an open plate position thereby to retract the arm-carried reed roll.

14. In a tape dispensing machine, a housing, a support thereon for a tape supply, rotary tapeengaging feed members, a pivotally supported operating handle for said feed members, said handle having a forward and a return movement. one-way drive connections between the handle and one of the feed members, said connections erating spring-pressed pawl element, one of said elements moving with the driven feed member and the other adapted to receive movement from and with the operating handle in the course of forward movement of the latter, connector means providing a lost-motion connection between said movement-receiving element and the operating handle, a coil spring for effecting return movement of the operating handle, means moving with the handle and having one end of said spring attached to it, said spring extending from said attaching means angularly with respect to the handle pivot and having its other end anchored in the housing, and spring guiding means spaced radially from the handle pivot between the latter and an intermediate portion of the spring and engageable laterally with the spring intermediate its ends so as to arch it away from the handle pivot for differential tensioning of the spring as between handle movements of different lengths.

15. In a tape dispensing machine, a frame including laterally spaced side members, a support thereon for a plurality of tape supplies in roll form, feeding mechanism for the plurality of tapes including driven rotary means engageable with corresponding faces of the plurality of tapes from the supplies, a wheel for each tape, to engage the other face thereof in oppositon to said driven rotary means so as to advance the tapes, means for rotatably mounting the tape wheels with capacity for bodily movement toward and from the corresponding tapes, and spring means normally urging said wheels into tapefeeding relation to the driven rotary means, together with channel means including upper and lower guides defining tape paths along which the feeding mechanism is adapted to advance lengths of the respective tapes simultaneously in side by side relation for common delivery and severance.

- TREVOR R. GAUTIER. 

